Chapter 109

Chapter 109

Hehua Restaurant was bustling with noise and activity. Manager Zong was busy chatting, his smile so wide it seemed his mouth would never close. He still managed to check on the kitchen from time to time.

Seeing that Jiang Jinyao had finished making the Shanhai Dou, each one intricately crafted with a thin green wrapper revealing various colorful fillings inside, he couldn't help rubbing his hands together as he asked, "Did you really use only the cheek meat of the fish for the filling?"

Jiang Jinyao nodded, "Manager, please try it first."

Manager Zong, under Chef Qi's envious gaze, picked up a Shanhai Dou and put it in his mouth. As he chewed, he marveled at the freshness, imagining how many fish were needed to create such a small delicacy.

Beyond the freshness, Manager Zong found it hard to describe the taste of the Shanhai Dou. The bamboo shoots, wild vegetables, and fish provided a layered texture that was simply divine, making him wish he could swallow his own tongue to savor it longer.

Chef Qi had watched Jiang Jinyao make the Shanhai Dou, swallowing his saliva countless times. Seeing Manager Zong finish one, he hurriedly asked, "How is the taste?" while swallowing once more.

Manager Zong knew exactly what Chef Qi meant, but the Shanhai Dou was so luxurious that he didn't want to eat another one himself. He decided to play dumb and nodded, "Need you even ask! The young wife is a master chef from Bian City. How could our humble place compare? We should be grateful that she's here to cook for us."

After a round of flattery, Jiang Jinyao's smile turned smug. She said proudly, "Take a plate outside for the customers to try."

Manager Zong nodded, his heart aching at the sight of so many fish used to make just a few Shanhai Dou. He decided to raise the price to cover the cost.

Chef Qi stopped Manager Zong, gritting his teeth, and asked, "Can I have one first? How much is it?"

Manager Zong had already decided on the price, "I was planning to sell them for eighty coins each. You know how difficult they are to make. But since we're close, I'll give you a discount."

Chef Qi clenched his teeth, shocked at the high price. He couldn't bear to pay that much, but fearing Jiang Jinyao might misunderstand his hesitation, he nodded firmly, "I'll take one."

Manager Zong handed him one, and Chef Qi carefully took it. Unlike Manager Zong, who only appreciated the taste, Chef Qi gently bit into the green wrapper made of mung beans. Watching the filling slowly spill out, he chewed carefully, gaining a new level of appreciation for Jiang Jinyao's skill.

"Master, you are truly amazing! I don't believe anyone could make a better Shanhai Dou than you," Chef Qi praised sincerely, "It's my great fortune to have tasted something like this in my life."

Jiang Jinyao, calmly blowing on her tea, glanced at him casually, "Naturally. Not everyone can be compared to me."

She had invested a lot of effort into this dish, and seeing Chef Qi and Manager Zong's awestruck expressions, she knew victory was within her grasp.

As for Lin Chunyan's supposed talent, Jiang Jinyao thought she was just a rural chef who relied on tricks and couldn't compete on a grand stage.

Out in the main hall, the impatient crowd saw Manager Zong emerge with a plate of green Shanhai Dou. They knew immediately it was the Shanhai Dou.

Several people reached out to grab them, but Manager Zong quickly dodged them, saying, "You can't have these for free. They contain many precious ingredients. We can't afford to run a loss-making business."

Though during the last competition at Shufangzhai, the dozen or so people didn't pay, this time the crowd understood the situation was different.

"Manager, just tell us the price. This chef is from Bian City. Such an opportunity won't come again!"

"Yes, we'll splurge to taste the skills of Li Daniang's prized student!"

Manager Zong smiled even wider, "My dear regulars, I won't overcharge you. Eighty coins per Shanhai Dou."

Someone was about to take out coins from their sleeve but froze upon hearing the price, doubting their ears. Another person echoed the concern, "Manager Zong, are you joking? Eighty coins for one Shanhai Dou?"

Manager Zong chuckled, "You all know who made this Shanhai Dou. It's not something any ordinary rural chef could make. The ingredients are extremely precious. I just had one, and I'm still savoring the taste."

But eighty coins was indeed too steep, and many people balked at the price. Even those who had insisted on trying it earlier fell silent.

Manager Zong wasn't anxious, after all, there weren't many of these Shanhai Dou, and those greedy eaters were not going to let them slip away.

Sure enough, someone took the lead and counted out eighty copper coins. Manager Zong used a small dish to serve the Shanhai Dou. The Shanhai Dou was small, and against the backdrop of the eighty copper coins counted out beside it, it appeared even smaller.

The person was quite proud as they brought the Shanhai Dou in front of themselves, holding it up for everyone to see. With chopsticks, they gently picked it up and took a small bite.

Something this expensive naturally required small, careful bites, and everyone waited for their reaction. After eating that small bite, it was indeed incredibly delicious. Perhaps it was the pain of spending eighty coins that made it taste even better, but it was better than anything they had eaten before.

"It's just eighty coins!" A woman nearby couldn't help but stand up. "We have to try it!"

Others were still hesitating, but seeing that there were fewer and fewer Shanhai Dou left, they knew that if they didn't decide to buy one soon, they might miss out. They quickly took out their money.

Those who didn't have enough cash borrowed some from others or sent someone to run errands, asking their family members to come over and bring more money.

Jiang Jinyao calmly took a break in the kitchen. She had no doubt that those Shanhai Dou would sell out quickly. Even back in Bian City, whenever she made something, there were always many people who admired her work.

When she arrived at the main hall, she saw that the tray of Shanhai Dou that Manager Zong had taken out was completely sold out. Those who had bought the Shanhai Dou were eating them with great relish, and when they saw her, they gave her a thumbs up.

"A famous teacher produces an outstanding student! Young miss, you really have skills!"

"Yes! This is the best Dou I've ever eaten."

Those who hadn't bought one could only watch enviously as others chewed slowly, while those nearby swallowed hard, quietly complaining about the high price.

Jiang Jinyao completely ignored them, not giving them a second glance. She took the tray of Shanhai Dou and headed straight for Lin Chunyan's food stall.

She had passed by this stall when she first arrived in White Cloud Town. From the outside, it didn't look remarkable, but upon entering, she saw that it was quite crowded, with various snacks and dishes on the tables. Some she recognized, others she did not.

Many people were enjoying a white and green pastry that looked soft and chewy. Jiang Jinyao's gaze lingered briefly before she looked away.

Probably made from some wild vegetables, just a gimmick.

"Junior sister!" Li Niangzi saw her and rushed over, wanting to pull her into the stall.

But Jiang Jinyao sidestepped, greeting her coolly, "Senior sister," maintaining a clear distance.

She had always been this arrogant. Although Li Niangzi was her senior sister, they hadn't spent much time together. Jiang Jinyao thought Li Niangzi's talent was average; she had just happened to be taken as a disciple by Li Daniang.

Seeing her behavior, Li Niangzi's brows furrowed slightly, and her tone became a bit more stern. "I've already written to Master. This kind of behavior is really unbecoming!"

Jiang Jinyao placed the Shanhai Dou on an empty table nearby, ignoring the hungry looks directed at the Dou, and replied calmly, "Thank you for your concern, Senior Sister. I will explain to Master when I return."

Her stubbornness left Li Niangzi helpless, and she returned to her seat, thinking that Jiang Jinyao had been too smooth-sailing all these years and had long forgotten her place. Even if it caused disgrace to their school, Jiang Jinyao needed a lesson.

At this moment, she eagerly awaited Lin Chunyan to finish making the Shanhai Dou, frequently glancing toward the kitchen area.

When Lin Taohong and Mrs. Zhang saw that Jiang Jinyao had the nerve to show up with that Shanhai Dou in hand, they were ready to rush over and give her a good scolding.

What great chef from Bian City, what favorite disciple of Li Daniang? None of that mattered anymore.

"Young miss, is there no one at home to teach you manners? How dare you come here to ruin someone else's business?"

Jiang Jinyao didn't spare them a second glance, which made Mrs. Zhang leap up in anger.

"Bah! Don't think you're so great! Even the renowned Chef Song from the Imperial City wasn't as good as our Yan Niang. What do you have to be proud of?"

Jiang Jinyao finally looked at Mrs. Zhang and asked in a very calm tone, "If that's true, what are you afraid of?"

Mrs. Zhang looked as if she had been grabbed by the neck, her face turning red as she forcibly held back her words.

Jin Niangzi quickly pulled Mrs. Zhang, one hand covering her mouth, fearing she might say something unpleasant.

Lin Taohong was about to step forward to speak but was intercepted by Lady Zhu, who wrapped her arms around her waist. The two of them were half-dragged to the backyard.

Meanwhile, Jiang Jinyao remained seated as if nothing had happened, still calmly observing the decor of the establishment.

It’s just… too cheap.

In her heart, she looked down on Lin Chunyan even more. She seemed to have already predicted the result, and her expression became indifferent.

"Miss, are you really from Bianjing?" Someone attempted to start a conversation with Jiang Jinyao, but she barely responded. She only moved her eyelids when someone expressed interest in tasting the Shanhai Dou.

At that moment, Shopkeeper Zong hurried over, "You can't just have a taste! Don't you know what fine ingredients are used in this? One dou costs eighty coins!"

Hearing this, everyone gasped.

Eighty coins was not a small sum. Those laborers who worked hard all day earned only about sixteen coins, while idle men delivering summonses might earn up to twenty coins on a good day, and sometimes less than sixteen on a bad day.

"What audacity!" Shopkeeper Cao sneered from behind, "If you can't afford it, don't attempt such a competition. In our time, we allowed everyone to taste for free, using the same ingredients!"

Shopkeeper Zong held his ground, "How can that be the same? Your large, sturdy buns cost so little. Ours is the Shanhai Dou! We only use the best parts of the fish and shrimp. For instance, the fish cheek meat; you only get a piece the size of a fingernail from a whole fish..."

His words left all the gluttons in awe, and they began murmuring among themselves, "This is too extravagant, to eat only a small piece of meat from a whole fish, tsk tsk."

"Indeed, she is a chef from Bianjing. The ingredients she uses are truly top-notch. Only the fish cheek meat is tender and fresh; the rest of the fish is not worth eating."

Someone tried to flatter her but was mercilessly exposed by others, "I didn’t know Brother Ma was so wealthy. When will you treat us to some fish cheek meat?"

"If you host a banquet with fish cheek meat, all of us villagers will come and support you."

Brother Ma blushed deeply and dared not speak again.

Although many found it expensive, they were convinced that Jiang Jinyao's Shanhai Dou must be delicious. Many began counting out their coins.

In the backyard, Lin Taohong and Mrs. Zhang heard everything clearly. Seeing that many people were willing to pay, they stomped their feet in frustration. They knew this wasn't the time to lose their temper and could only lower their voices and mutter, "Eighty coins! Are they trying to rob us?"

"Is it true that only the cheek meat of the fish is tasty?" Lin Taohong asked, perplexed. She usually picked the meat from the body of the fish and never touched the head, which had little meat.

Madam Song nodded beside them, "That's right. That piece of meat is the freshest and has no muddy taste."

Lin Taohong felt deflated and looked worriedly toward the kitchen.

It seemed they couldn’t win against Jiang Jinyao this time. Lin Chunyan, though always smiling, was actually very competitive. If she couldn't outperform this time, it would be devastating.

Lin Taohong bit her finger, pacing back and forth in the yard. She wondered if she should just barge in with a basin of water and splash Jiang Jinyao to drive her out. Alternatively, if Lin Chunyan felt upset, she would give her all the new spices and palace flowers she had recently bought.

Outside, Jiang Jinyao waited for a while, and when Lin Chunyan still hadn’t come out, she directly asked Tutor Duan, "Is your Lin Xiaoniang afraid? Why hasn't she made hers yet?"

"Tch!" Lady Zhu snorted coldly, "To make something, one needs the ingredients! I’ve never seen a competition where someone buys up all the fish and shrimp in town, leaving us with nothing to cook with!"

Jiang Jinyao frowned, "I did have Shopkeeper Zong buy all the fish and shrimp, but that’s because I need a lot. Just one small dou uses many fish. I had to buy them all; otherwise, how could I finish?"

Lady Zhu continued with sarcasm, "You bought everything up, but did you think about whether anyone else could buy any?"

"Running an establishment, it's normal to keep some fish and shrimp in stock. They aren't that rare."

Jiang Jinyao, always self-centered, had never considered whether Lin Chunyan would have the ingredients. Being called out like this in public embarrassed her, so she unconsciously tried to defend herself.

Manager Zong was gleefully counting his earnings as the gluttons snapped up all the Shanhai Dou. Those who missed out could only watch with longing, asking when more would be made.

"It’s hard to say, but the young lady is from Bianjing!"

Hearing this, some people started lamenting their missed opportunity.

"Why hasn’t Lin Xiaoniang made her version yet? Could she really be falling behind?"

Xia Housheng, the young man, sighed, already able to imagine losing his bet.

"I shouldn’t have gambled..."

Aunt Liu bought a Shanhai Dou but didn’t rush to eat it. She planned to compare it with Lin Chunyan’s version later.

Many others had the same idea. After buying the Shanhai Dou, they sat quietly, inhaling the aroma and discreetly swallowing their saliva.

Finally, after much anticipation, Lin Chunyan lifted the curtain and stepped out of the kitchen, followed by Lin Cuixiang and Zhao Zilan, each carrying a large basket of Shanhai Dou.

The hall erupted in excitement. Some glanced at Jiang Jinyao’s reaction, while others eagerly compared Lin Chunyan’s Shanhai Dou with Jiang’s. Others clapped and cheered.

Lin Chunyan first apologized to everyone, "I wanted to make more, but I lost track of time."

Then she looked at Jiang Jinyao, "You’re the renowned chef from Bianjing, right?"

Jiang Jinyao was momentarily stunned by the sight of the baskets. In Bianjing, food was typically served in small, elegant portions on beautiful plates to emphasize refinement.

Before Jiang could respond, someone asked Lin Xiaoniang, "How much for your Shanhai Dou? Is it also eighty big coins?"

Lin Chunyan, having heard the commotion outside, smiled and said, "No need for eighty coins, each one is just eight coins."

Eight coins wasn’t cheap, but compared to eighty, it felt almost like a bargain. The hall became even more lively, with cheers, shouts, and praises filling the air. One person waved at Hu Daqiang, another signaled Zhao Liu for a few Shanhai Dou. Even at Old Man Song’s stall outside, people cheered upon hearing the price.

Vendors at the dock stretched their necks and tiptoed to see what was happening. Some grabbed the idlers running back and forth to ask what was going on.

"What’s going on? Has someone won?"

"No, it’s just that Lin Xiaoniang’s Shanhai Dou is only eight coins!"

Hearing the price, the idlers also breathed a sigh of relief. If it had been eighty coins per Shanhai Dou, no one would buy it, and they wouldn’t get orders to deliver.

Earlier, Manager Zong was smiling ear to ear, but now he stood dumbfounded as customers bought Shanhai Dou in multiples. The several baskets were gone in no time.

It would be a lie to say he wasn’t envious. He had struggled for half a day to sell his Shanhai Dou.

And although his price was high, his profit margin wasn’t great.

He couldn’t help but interject coldly, "Lin Xiaoniang, don’t try to act rich while losing money. The ingredients used in these Shanhai Dou are top-notch. Selling them so cheaply, aren’t you taking a loss?"

Before Lin Chunyan could reply, someone directly shot back at Manager Zong, "Do you think everyone is as black-hearted as you? Lin Xiaoniang isn’t foolish. She must have thought it through before setting this price."

"Exactly, back in their restaurant, a plate of braised meat was over fifty big coins. Should we call that robbery?"

Manager Zong’s face turned red and pale, cursing these ungrateful people inwardly.

"Don’t worry, I’m not doing this at a loss," Lin Chunyan said, easing the tension.

Hearing this, Manager Zong looked somewhat embarrassed, while Jiang Jinyao quietly sighed in relief.

She didn’t know why her heart leaped with tension, the moment she saw Lin Chunyan bring out the items.

At this moment, Mrs. Zhang interjected, "Our Shanhai Dou isn't made of gold, who can afford an item that costs eighty wen!"

Some people couldn't wait to start eating, while others carefully compared the two Shanhai Dou. Even when placed together, there was basically no discernible difference.

Some thought that even if Lin Chunyan's cooking wasn't as good as Jiang Jinyao's, they would have to do so with a guilty conscience, just because of the price.

Li Niangzi eagerly tasted the Shanhai Dou. Li Daniang had once taught her how to make it too. As soon as it hit her tongue, she recognized the ingredients Jiang Jinyao had used.

It tasted really good. Though Li Niangzi found Jiang Jinyao arrogant and frivolous, she still trusted her master’s judgment when it came to culinary skills.

Before trying the other one, Li Niangzi rinsed her mouth. This Shanhai Dou was made by Lin Chunyan, and because of its cheap price, almost everyone at the establishment had several on their tables.

Li Niangzi sighed inwardly, already able to anticipate who people would say made the better tasting dish.

It wasn’t out of a sense of injustice for Jiang Jinyao, but rather that her master’s reputation would be tarnished, leaving her feeling somewhat uneasy.

But the moment she put Lin Chunyan's Shanhai Dou into her mouth, all her previous thoughts vanished.

The ingredients inside were completely different. The bamboo shoots weren’t the ones specially brought from Bian City by Jiang Jinyao, taken out from an ice cellar, and were fresher and more delicious. The bracken, she didn’t know how it was processed, still carried a distinct spring aroma.

Jiang Jinyao hadn’t used bracken in her version, as the bracken at this time was already old and would have detracted from the flavor if used.

So she used the freshest chickweed, which was beyond reproach. If she were to make this dish, she would have made the same choice.

But the reason bracken was used in the Shanhai Dou was because of its unique texture. Fresh and slightly bitter, with a subtle fragrance, it opened up the taste buds layer by layer, as if savoring the vibrant growth in the mountains after spring rain.

Therefore, bracken is also known as the king of mountain vegetables.

Li Niangzi put down her chopsticks and praised, "Lin Xiaoniang, excellent work!"

Jiang Jinyao looked over, surprised, and could no longer pretend to be unfamiliar with Li Niangzi. She asked, "Sister, have you been here too long? Has your tongue gone dull?"

Li Niangzi didn’t refute but seriously looked at Lin Chunyan, "My master was indeed right!"

This was like a stab to Jiang Jinyao’s pride. Knowing what she cared about most, Li Niangzi’s words left her feeling humiliated and angry.

The others also savored the dishes. Aunt Liu had a particularly sensitive palate. She hesitated for a moment between the two Shanhai Dou, seeing the old man and a few young men had already started eating Lin Chunyan's version, heads down, not sharing her hesitation at all.

Lin Chunyan's Shanhai Dou was cheap, and with Jiang Jinyao's eighty-wen version as a comparison, people were more willing to spend than usual. The old man ate three in a row before stopping.

"It's so delicious! I want to move to White Cloud Town!"

It would be a shame not to be able to enjoy such delicious food every day.

Aunt Liu decided to try Lin Chunyan’s version first. She wanted to save the more expensive and better one for last.

Many others had the same idea. Old Man Qin and Mr. Zhao followed suit, grabbing Lin Chunyan’s Shanhai Dou and taking a big bite.

This kind of dish should be eaten in large bites; how could you taste anything by nibbling tiny bits?

In their hearts, just like Aunt Liu, they had already assumed Jiang Jinyao’s would taste better. After all, she used fish cheek meat, and the ingredients alone were far superior.

But once the Shanhai Dou hit their mouths, they were amazed by the fresh and fragrant taste.

"This is incredibly delicious!"

"Indeed, the fish and shrimp are incredibly fresh."

Aunt Liu chewed slowly, savoring the filling. The part she enjoyed most was the fish and shrimp, apart from the fresh and tender bamboo shoots and ferns.

She couldn't tell how it was prepared, but it tasted sweet and fresh, with plenty of juices.

After finishing this one, she was eager to try the *Shanhai Dou* made by Jiang Jinyao herself.

That one was made with fish cheek meat, so the fish and shrimp should be even fresher and more delicious.

As the flavor slowly faded from her mouth, Aunt Liu began to chew Jiang Jinyao's *Shanhai Dou* slowly.

Even though they looked almost the same, Jiang Jinyao could immediately tell which ones were made by her as she saw many people start to eat. Her heart raced again.

She felt that her nervousness was due to what Li Niangzi had said earlier. Though she knew it wasn’t true, she still felt uneasy.

When it first entered her mouth, Aunt Liu was momentarily astonished; she couldn’t believe it. She took another bite, chewing more slowly this time.

The old man and the scholars beside her were eagerly awaiting Aunt Liu's verdict. If it weren't for the *Shanhai Dou* being so costly, they would have wanted to try it too, but their tongues weren’t as sharp as hers.

"Is it better than the one made by young Madam Lin?"

They were all very curious. Since young Madam Lin’s *Shanhai Dou* was already so delicious, how much more delicious would Jiang Jinyao’s be?!

Aunt Liu didn’t speak at first, chewing the remaining *Shanhai Dou* slowly, rinsing her mouth before saying, "I suppose I’m a simple country woman who can’t appreciate such refined flavors. I didn’t taste how fresh the fish cheek meat was. Instead, I prefer the one made by young Madam Lin."

Someone gasped in disbelief, "How could that be?"

How could Jiang Jinyao’s *Shanhai Dou* be less delicious than Lin Chunyan’s?!

Old Master Qin and Mr. Zhao had also finished both *Shanhai Dou*. They exchanged a glance and saw amusement in each other's eyes.

"We shouldn’t have worried. Young Madam Lin’s skills are truly unparalleled."

"I was too narrow-minded before," said Old Master Qin, shaking his head, asking Hu Daqiang to bring him a few more *Shanhai Dou*. "I never thought we’d be so fortunate."

Others might not grasp what he meant, but Mr. Zhao immediately knew. This meant that young Madam Lin's skill was superior to those chefs from Bian City or the prized student of Li Daniang. They, as connoisseurs, were eating better than the high-ranking officials in the Imperial City.

"My palate isn’t that refined," said Shopkeeper Cao after finishing both. "But just by feeling, I also think young Madam Lin’s skill is slightly better."

Hearing this, Jiang Jinyao stood up in disbelief, her brows furrowed tightly.

"I didn’t expect that in such a remote area, not only is the place unsophisticated, but the people are also so ignorant."

This remark offended nearly everyone in the hall. Although they weren’t as rich as the high-ranking officials in Bian City, they had lived in this small town for generations and had deep feelings for it.

Those who hadn’t tried her *Shanhai Dou* wanted to refute but didn’t know how. They only looked at those connoisseurs who had tasted it.

Manager Zong and Chef Qi agreed with Jiang Jinyao. "If you play like this, it’s no fun!"

They didn’t dare to confront Jiang Jinyao, but since Manager Zong and Chef Qi were locals, someone directly pulled them over, shoving young Madam Lin’s *Shanhai Dou* in front of them.

"Try it yourself. It’s only sixteen wen; consider it my treat, no need to pay."

Manager Zong's face turned red with anger, but seeing no one stopping the onlookers, especially Mrs. Zhang and Lin Taohong, who were enjoying the spectacle, she regretted coming to their establishment.

"Hurry up and eat!"

Mrs. Zhang and Lin Taohong hadn’t tried Jiang Jinyao’s *Shanhai Dou*, but hearing everyone praise Lin Chunyan’s, they were already secretly delighted, no longer feeling the previous anxiety and impatience. They were just waiting to see Jiang Jinyao’s embarrassment.

Others also began to chime in. Manager Zong and Chef Qi were still hesitating, while Jiang Jinyao unconsciously bit her lower lip, listening to the murmurs around her, as people kept asking those who had tried her *Shanhai Dou*, "Is it really better than young Madam Lin's?"

"It’s the truth! When have we gourmets ever lied?"

"So what if she is a renowned chef from Bianjing!"

"So what if she is? She used frozen bamboo shoots, which aren't as good as the fresh ones Lin Xiaoniang used."

The customers who had purchased Shanhai Dou from Hehua Restaurant earlier, after watching the scene, also came in to buy the ones made by Lin Chunyan.

"Let us try! We’ll be fair."

"That’s right. We’ve been regular patrons of Hehua Restaurant for a long time. Manager Zong, you can count on us. I definitely won't deceive you like they did."

"What? That’s odd! The one made by Lin Xiaoniang is actually more flavorful?"

"That’s right! The key is that it's only sold for eight coins. If only I had known beforehand, I wouldn't have spent so much money."

Thinking about how they only got a taste at Hehua Restaurant for eighty coins, but could have eaten ten of Lin Chunyan's for the same price, left them deeply regretful.

Manager Zong and Chef Qi's expressions changed. These people wouldn’t favor Lin Chunyan just to be nice. To avoid looking foolish, even if they had to grit their teeth, they should say that Jiang Jinyao's was better. How could they all say Lin Chunyan’s was better?

Jiang Jinyao couldn't bear to listen anymore and stepped forward quickly, grabbing a Shanhai Dou and putting it in her mouth.

She didn’t trust anyone else’s taste. She had to taste it herself and then tell them they were all wrong!

But that thought vanished instantly. Jiang Jinyao ate it hurriedly, taking a big bite and chewing hastily, unlike her usual slow and careful manner. But she couldn’t care about manners at this moment. Tasting the contents, her expression changed from anger to shock and then disbelief.

Li Niangzi, watching closely, spoke coolly at this moment, "You said my tongue wasn't sensitive, but now that you've tasted it, what do you think?"

Jiang Jinyao's expression became serious, not because of Li Niangzi's words, but because she truly didn’t know what to do now.

Should she admit her palate wasn’t as sharp, or that what she made wasn’t as good as Lin Chunyan's?

How could this be?

She swallowed it and turned to ask Lin Chunyan, "Where did you get your bamboo shoots and bracken?"

Jiang Jinyao had chosen to make Shanhai Dou precisely because the bamboo shoots were specially brought from the Imperial City, carefully preserved in an ice cellar. How did Lin Chunyan get fresh bamboo shoots?

Indeed, she could taste that fresh bamboo shoots were used, which were much fresher and tenderer than her frozen ones.

Lin Chunyan, seeing her struggle, remained calm. She took the Shanhai Dou previously bought by Tutor Duan and tasted it first.

Jiang Jinyao had eaten hers, but she hadn’t had the chance to taste Lin Chunyan's.

Jiang Jinyao watched her nervously. She had cooked for many high-ranking officials before, but never had she been this nervous and helpless.

Li Daniang's words echoed in her ears, the term 'prodigy' weighing her down until she could hardly breathe.

After finishing, Lin Chunyan said, "As expected of fish cheek meat, this fish does taste more delicious."

But she didn’t mention anything else, clearly finding other parts unremarkable and not worth discussing.

Jiang Jinyao's face turned pale, realizing that even though she had prepared meticulously, she was still no match for Lin Chunyan.

Liu Daniang came in from the outside shed. She was familiar with Lin Chunyan and spoke directly, "I've tried both just now. Did you use river shrimp, Lin Xiaoniang?"

Lin Chunyan nodded, "Compared to larger shrimp, the meat of river shrimp is softer, and the juice is more abundant. In this case, larger shrimp are not as good as smaller ones."

Everyone else was listening attentively to Lin Chunyan’s culinary wisdom, and when they thought about the large shrimp and river shrimp they had eaten before, many nodded in agreement.

Although the meat of the river shrimp was scant, it was indeed more delicate, tender, and elastic, with a subtle sweetness.

"And the bamboo shoots, it's not just the spring shoots that are delicious."

Jiang Jinyao, in a daze, added, "Bamboo shoots capture the freshness of spring and preserve the beauty of winter."

These words Li Daniang had taught her had long been forgotten during the years of being praised.

The people of Bianjing loved bamboo shoots and savored them in an elegant manner. Most literati and scholars would eat Banglin Freshness in early spring, composing poems or paintings to praise the bamboo.

Over time, she only remembered that spring shoots were more exquisite.

After a moment of dazed reflection, Jiang Jinyao quickly regained her composure. Even if it wasn't only spring shoots that could be eaten, at this time of year, there was only ma bamboo, which numbs the mouth!

This young madam Lin had another skill up her sleeve. How did she remove the bitterness from the ma bamboo and maintain its freshness? She hadn't revealed that.

Meeting Lin Chunyan’s half-smile, Jiang Jinyao could no longer bring herself to ask.

Indeed, how to process ma bamboo was her secret recipe.

"What about the fiddleheads?"

Though she had lost, she found it hard to accept without clarity. Jiang Jinyao couldn't help but ask one more question.

Lin Chunyan smiled, "Fiddleheads are relatively easy to handle, though it requires more effort. After picking them, remove the green veins, rub them with salt, and cut them into small pieces for blanching. Take them out while they are still green, and continue to soak them in cold water."

The hall was very quiet as everyone listened to Lin Chunyan explain how to process the fiddleheads, and they couldn't help but praise her.

"This is quite troublesome. It's no wonder it took so long to come out earlier."

"Young madam, you’re such a kind person to share the method of processing fiddleheads. Now we can eat this wild vegetable in the summer."

"Yes, although it's laborious, who can resist good food?"

"And those small shrimp, the taste of these river shrimp is better than the large ones, but if you remove the shrimp meat, it's really troublesome."

"To sell this for only eight wen, young madam, you’re truly honest!"

The mountain and sea dou featured mountain delicacies and seafood. Jiang Jinyao had only used large shrimp and fish cheeks as bait, so how could she match Lin Chunyan’s meticulous and clever preparation?

Hearing how she processed the fiddleheads, Jiang Jinyao closed her eyes in resignation and murmured, "I lost."

Her master was right. Lin Chunyan was truly gifted in cooking, more so than she, who had always been praised.

Even by choosing her best dish, she was still overwhelmed without a chance to retaliate. If Lin Chunyan had made other dishes first, would she have been able to compete?

Jiang Jinyao didn't dare to think further.

Manager Zong and Chef Qi’s expressions were no better than Jiang Jinyao’s. They looked at Lin Chunyan with some fear.

Even a chef from Bianjing couldn't compare to her. They had been upset about losing business, but now it didn’t seem so bad.

Many people, hearing Jiang Jinyao's words, started clapping and cheering. Xia Shusheng jumped up excitedly, "I won! I won! Young Madam Lin is amazing!"

The idlers outside were both happy for Lin Chunyan and felt conflicted. Some quick-footed people were already spreading the news through the streets.

The old men and women at the stalls, hearing this news, also breathed a sigh of relief. Naturally, some were incredulous, but after understanding what had happened, they all marveled in admiration.

"Is there still any Shanhai Dou for sale? It takes so much effort to make, yet it’s only sold for eight wen each. I must try it to see what it tastes like!"

The idlers became active again, and many households summoned Shanhai Dou, eager to taste it.

Those idlers who had previously gone to Hehua Restaurant now returned, looking somewhat embarrassed. Lin Taohong brought out the freshly steamed Shanhai Dou from the kitchen, which Lin Cuixiang and Zhao Zilan had prepared.

Initially, the two didn’t understand why they were making it, but now, hearing the lively commotion outside, they exchanged glances.

"Big Sister knew she would win."

"Of course!" Zhao Zilan, with her hands on her hips, laughed heartily in the courtyard for a good while. "Who’s my master? She’s absolutely top-notch!"

Lin Taohong packed the food boxes for the idlers and said to those who hadn’t visited in days, "I thought our place was too small to draw you in! Even if it’s a chef from Bian City, so what? Everyone who eats her food praises my big sister’s skills. They actually dared to challenge us. Did they even consider if they were qualified?"

She had always been quick and sharp-tongued. After being thoroughly intimidated by Jiang Jinyao earlier, she was now elated at winning and couldn’t wait to vent everything that had been bottled up inside her.

The idlers didn’t dare to interrupt and could only bow repeatedly. Behind them, Lin the idler and Ye Xianhan watched the scene for a moment, exchanged glances, and then hurried off to deliver the summons.

It seemed that not following Jiang Jinyao to Hehua Restaurant was the right decision. Although they had been worried when they heard that the chef from Bian City would compete with Lin Chunyan, they hadn’t considered switching sides.

As soon as someone requested a summons, Lin Taohong prioritized them by packing a dish first.

Mrs. Zhang was also energetically chatting in the hall, her words spilling out rapidly. When she heard others praise Lin Chunyan, she couldn’t help but beam with pride. "See? My Yan Niang is truly remarkable. Her grandfather often praised her when he was alive! Whether from Bian City or a closed-door disciple, it’s embarrassing to even show up."

She had previously thought that the Bodhisattva at Granny Dong's place wasn't efficacious and had planned to stop going, but now, seeing this, the Bodhisattva had clearly blessed them.

She would have to offer another incense stick later.